Diesel engine



Nov. 8, 1932. H. c. EDWARDS DIESEL ENGINE Filed Jan. 28, 1931 Patented Nov. 5, W32

HERBERT 0. EDWARDS, 013 DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T PACKARD MOTOR CAR COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN DIESEL ENGINE Application filed January 28, 1931.

This invention relates to internal combustion engines of the Diesel type and more particularly to Diesel'engines adapted for the propulsion of aircraft in which the a1r m which supports combustion within the-engine cylinders and the gaseous products of such combustion enter and leave each cylinder through a single port therein.

In the use of this type of engine in aircraft, it has hitherto been proposed to utilize the current of air directed rearwardly by the propeller to remove the freshly ejected products of combustion from the vicinlty of the cylinder port and supply fresh air for the new charge, the operation being improved by the provision of separate conduits directed rearwardly of the engine and open at their forward ends, one such conduit communicating intermediate the ends thereof cylinder ports of an engine of the type described to ensure immediate removal of exhaust gases issuing from the ports.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision in a Diesel engine of a combined ,air and exhaust gas conduit which is so constructed and disposed with relation to the cylinder port as to permit free movement of fresh air in the direction of the port and prompt discharge of exhaust gas from the vicinity of the port.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through an engine cylinder to which the invention has been applied; and

Serial No. 511,867.

Figure 2 is a plan view partly in section of the construction shown in Figure 1. I

In the embodiment of the invention shown in" the drawing for the purpose of illustration the reference numeral 10 indicates the crankcase of a Diesel engine. This engine is of the radial type in which the cylinders 12 are seated in apertures '13 in the crankcase, this construction being found particularly suitable in engines designed for use in the propulsion of aircraft, but it will be understood that the invention is in no way limited in its application to Diesel en ines of any specific type. The cylinder 12 is preferably provided with an integral head 15 having a port 16 therein through which a charge of fresh air may be introduced and through which the exhaust gases are expelled. Suitable valve means 18 is provided for the opening and closing of'this port in timed relation to the operation of the piston 19.

The specific construction of this valve means forms no part of the present invention but is illustrated in the drawing as consisting of a poppet valve which is supportedfor sliding movement within a bushing 20 in the upper portion of the cooling head 22 which is provided with fins 23 for the purpose of dissipating the excess heat developed in the cylinder during operation of the engine. The cooling head is of course secured in position on the cylinder in any suitable manner.

1 A conduit 25 extends transversely ofthe cylinder and is connected with the port 16 by a passage 26, the cooling head 22, the conduit 25, and the walls which define the passage 26 being preferably integral as illustrated in the drawing.

It will be noted that the portion 28 of the wall of this passage forms in effect an extension of a portion of the wall of the conduit 25 and thatthe opposite portion 30. of the wall of the passage projects within the conduit, preferably to a point adjacent the central axis of the conduit, to form a lip or baflie 32.

By reason of this construction any exhaust gas flowing out through the passage 26 is directed into the conduit 25 in a substantially tangential direction with respect to the conduit so that a rotational or swirling movement is imparted to the exhaust gas on discharge from the passage 26.

In the absence of rotational movement of the exhaust gas in the conduit25, the discharge of this gas at high velocity into the conduit results in movement of the gas not only toward the rear of the conduit but toward the forward portion thereof by reason of the sudden checking of the velocity of movement of the gas. If, on the other hand, a rotational or swirling movement is imparted to the gas within the conduit the velocity of the gas is only slightly decreased as it enters the conduit and the direction of movement thereof is not abruptly changed. The gas therefore tends to follow a spiral path to the rear of the conduit and no back pressure is developed such as would result in forcing a portion of the exhaust gas through the forward end of the conduit. The discomforts of noise and smoke incident to improper discharge of the exhaust gases are thus avoided.

It will be observed from Figure 2 of the drawing that the conduit 25 may be divided roughly into two portions, a forward portion 35 and a rearwardportion 36. The forward portion 35 is inclined slightly toward the axis of the cylinder so that fresh air passing therethrough is directed toward and into the passage 26. It will also be observed that the cross-sectional area of the forward portion 35 of the conduit is gradually decreased in the direction of the passage 26, the velocity of the fresh air passing through this portion of the conduit increasing to a considerable extent and reaching a maximum adjacent the point of delivery of the air to the passage 26. This increased velocity of the air results in the delivery of a maximum amount of air through the passage 26 and at the same time serves to check'any possible tendency of the exhaust gas to discharge through the forward end of the conduit. It will thusbe observed that this portion of the conduit is so designed, both as to its arrangement with respect to the passage 26 and as to its internal dimensions to provide for the most efiicient handling of the fresh air supply and the exhaust gas.

Referring now to the rearward portion 36 of the conduit, it will be noted that adjacent the passage 26 and rearwardly thereof the conduit is considerably and abruptly enlarged to facilitate movement of the exhaust gas therein, and is directed away from the cylinder or, in other Words, is somewhat inclined in the direction of the path of movement of the exhaust gases at their point of discharge from the passage 26. The velocity.

of the exhaust gases is thus utilized to create movement thereof in a rearward direction out of the conduit and to prevent the issuance of exhaust smoke through or into the forward portion of the conduit.

It will be appreciated that in its broader aesases aspect the invention comprises a conduit through which a current of gas is continually passed, this conduit having an opening in one side thereof, the conduit being so constructed as to assist in the alternate delivery ofgas to and discharge of gas from the opening Without impeding the continuous movement of the gas through the conduit in one direction. It is thus apparent that the details of construction illustrated in the drawing for the purpose of describing the principles of the invention may be altered to a considerable extent without departing from the inventive concept, such changes being contemplated as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a Diesel en ine having a cylinder provided with a sing e port serving as an air inlet and exhaust gas outlet, the combination with a conduit communicating with and extending transversely of said port, and arranged to receive a supply of fresh air through the forward end and discharge exhaust gas through the rearward end thereof, of means associated with said conduit for imparting rotational movement to exhaust as issuing from said port to facilitate expulsion of such gas from the rearward end of said conduit.

2. In a Diesel engine having a cylinder provided with a single port serving as an air inlet and exhaust gas outlet, the combination with a conduit communicating with and extending transversely of said port, and arranged to receive a supply of fresh air through the'forward end and discharge exhaust gas through the rearward end thereof, of a battle extending within said conduit for imparting rotational movement to exhaust gas issuing from said port to facilitate .expulsion of such gas from the rearward end of said conduit.

3. A Diesel engine having a cylinder provided with a single port serving as an air inlet and exhaust gas outlet, a conduit communicating with and extending transversely of said port, and arranged to receive a supply of fresh air through the forward end and discharge exhaust gas through the rearward end thereof, and a gas passage connecting said port and conduit arranged to direct the exhaust gas tangentially into said conduit for imparting rotational movement to exhaust gas issuing from said port to facilitate expulsion of suchgas from the rearward end of said conduit.

4:. A Diesel engine having a cylinder provided with a single port serving as an.air inlet and exhaust gas outlet, a conduit communicating with and extending transversely of said port, and arranged to receive a supply of fresh air through the forward end and discharge exhaust gas through the rearill ward end thereof, and a gas passage connecting said port and conduit and extending within said conduit and substantially tangentially thereof, whereby rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of the conduit is imparted to said gas to facilitate expulsion thereof from the rearward end only of the conduit.

5. In a Diesel engine having a cylinder provided with a single port serving as an air inlet and exhaust gas outlet, the combination with a conduit communicating with and and extending transversely of said port, and arranged to receive a supply of fresh air through the forward end and discharge exhaust gas through the rearward end thereof, of means associated with said conduit for imparting rotational movement to exhaust gas issuing from said port to facilitate ex. pulsion of such gas from the rearward end of said conduit, said means comprising a gas passage formed integrally with said conduit, one portion of the wall of said passage forming a substantially tangential extension.

of a portion of the wall of the conduit, and the opposite portion of the wall of said passage being extended to form a lip projecting within said conduit and approaching the central axis thereof.

6. A Diesel engine having a cylinder provided with a single port serving as an air inlet and exhaust gas outlet, a conduit communicating with and extending transversely of said port, and arranged to receive a supply of fresh air through the forward end and discharge exhaust gas through the rearward end thereof, a gas passage connecting said port and conduit, said conduit being gradually constricted forwardly and in the direction of the point of entry of said passage therein, whereby the velocity of the incoming current of fresh air is increased to resist movement of exhaust gas forwardly in said conduit, the forward portion of said conduit being inclined toward said passage to direct the current of fresh air into said passage, and the rearward portion of said conduit adjacent said passage being enlarged and inclined in the direction of the exhaust gases discharging from said passage, and means whereby rotational movement is imparted to said exhaust gases in the enlarged portion of said conduit.

7. A Diesel engine having a cylinder provided with a single port serving as an air inlet and exhaust gas outlet, a conduit communicating with and extending transversely of said port, and arranged to receive a supply of fresh air through the forward end and discharged exhaust gas through the rearward end thereof, and a gas passage connecting said port and conduit, said conduit being gradually constricted forwardly and in the direction of the point of entry of said passage therein, whereby the velocity of the incoming current of fresh air is increased to resist movement of exhaust gas forwardly in said conduit, the forward portion of said conduit being inclined toward said passage to direct the current of fresh air into said In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

HERBERT C. EDWARDS. 

